Asian Festival: A taste of summer

Free fest is favorite kickoff to the hot season

Savannah loves to launch the summer every year by doing — what else? — enjoying the air-conditioning in the Civic Center and the delectable tastes of the annual Savannah Asian Festival.

Put on by the City of Savannah's Department of Cultural Affairs, the free event is this Saturday at the Civic Center from 11a.m.– 5p.m.

While the cuisine vendors offer food ranging from India to the Philippines, entertainment happens throughout the day.

Like last year, the Asian Festival will be hosted by reality star chef, host, and restaurateur, Orchid Paulmeier, Food Network Star finalist and owner of One Hot Mama's on Hilton Head.

Popular returning acts include live stage performances by Lee's Taekwondo, Namaste Savannah, Sanggar Lestari Indonesian Performing Group and of course the Matsuriza Taiko Drummers. A few new touches this year are the chair-stacking Flying Dragon Acrobats — they go nearly 30 feet in the air above the stage — and Vida Vongsay & Team Lion Dancers.

In addition to the mainstage entertainment, there will be martial arts demonstrations, children's workshops and — wait for it! — a Middle Eastern tea workshop.

The group Namaste Savannah will teach you how to play an East Asian board game called Carrom. Molly Lieberman from Loop It Up Savannah will = lead a kids workshop about Asian flag-making.

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Savannah Asian Festival

When & Where: Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center

Cost: Free and open to the public. Parking at the Civic Center is free for the day. There is a charge for food and purchases from the Cultural Marketplace.